Reports

From mid-January to mid-March 2020, a total of 2,013 Myanmar nationals were surveyed in the province of Ranong, of whom 1,962 were identified as migrant workers. The 1,962 migrant workers fell into two different migrant groups. The first group was comprised of incoming migrants, arriving in Thailand prior to starting employment and the second group of outgoing migrants, returning after their employment ended. Two different survey tools were designed to capture the most accurate information possible for both target groups. The findings help to identify migration patterns as well as common challenges and vulnerabilities and can be used to better direct policy and programming for the protection and assistance of migrant workers.

From 4 to 14 May 2020, IOM staff surveyed a total of 85 key informants, who provided information on the situation and vulnerabilities of different migrant communities and non-Thai populations (migrants, refugees, and stateless individuals) following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand. Results revealed that the most common barrier to COVID-19 specific hygiene and sanitation for non-Thai populations is the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, results reveal that access to facemasks for non-Thai populations seems to have increased compared to findings in IOM’s first Rapid Assessment report. Respondents reported that the greatest challenge faced by non-Thai nationals since the outbreak of COVID-19 is insufficient income, with 80 per cent of key informants reporting that they have heard of concerns from non-Thai populations about not having enough food to eat due to the consequences of COVID-19. In total, 29 per cent of the respondents indicated that most non-Thai nationals have lost their jobs and face financial problems. Respondents also continued to report low awareness levels on COVID-19 symptoms and handwashing practices, with 57 per cent of respondents indicating that lack of literacy is the main reason why non-Thai nationals do not understand COVID-19 related information.

In light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand, Thai and non-Thai populations face a new set of challenges and vulnerabilities. However, the extent to which these challenges and vulnerabilities are affecting local communities in key border provinces is unknown. It is also unclear whether these communities are receiving sufficient information about COVID-19 or have access to the resources which will allow them to maintain the hygiene and sanitation standards required for effective protection. To fill this data gap and inform possible responses, IOM initiated a village-level data collection exercise in key border provinces to collect information on: 1) presence of non-Thai nationals, 2) vulnerabilities to COVID-19, 3) impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods, food, and access to services, and 4) awareness and knowledge levels on COVID-19.  Between 11 and 22 April 2020, 16 IOM staff (50% female) conducted phone surveys with a total of 408 key informants (KIs) located in Tak province and Ranong province. Information was collected at the village level in Mae sot district, Mueang Ranong district and Suk Samran district. This report focuses on the results for Mae Sot district, in Tak province, Thailand, where a total of 241 KIs were interviewed across 1 municipality, 9 sub-districts, 85 villages and 18 communities. Highlights: The main barriers to proper sanitation and hygiene in Mae Sot district are the lack of access to personal protective equipment (PPE), the high costs of PPE and the lack of knowledge on sanitation and hygiene practices. The most affected services since the COVID-19 outbreak are livelihoods, water, electricity and transportation. The main challenges since the outbreak of COVID-19 are unemployment, insufficient income, debt and wage reduction. The main challenges for children since the outbreak of COVID-19 are limited or no access to education, insufficient food intake, and no social interaction with friends. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 50 and 75 per cent of the population has experienced a partial loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 25 and 50 per cent of the population has experienced a total loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, in 62 out of 103 villages and communities assessed, some families had to significantly reduce the amount of food they consume. There are some myths and misperceptions on COVID-19 in 33 out of 103 villages and communities assessed.  

In light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand, Thai and non-Thai populations face a new set of challenges and vulnerabilities. However, the extent to which these challenges and vulnerabilities are affecting local communities in key border provinces is unknown. It is also unclear whether these communities are receiving sufficient information about COVID-19 or have access to the resources which will allow them to maintain the hygiene and sanitation standards required for effective protection. To fill this data gap and inform possible responses, IOM initiated a village-level data collection exercise in key border provinces to collect information on: 1) presence of non-Thai nationals, 2) vulnerabilities to COVID-19, 3) impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods, food, and access to services, and 4) awareness and knowledge levels on COVID-19.  Between 11 and 22 April 2020, 16 IOM staff (50% female) conducted phone surveys with a total of 408 key informants (KIs) located in Tak province and Ranong province. Information was collected at the village level in Mae sot district, Mueang Ranong district and Suk Samran district. This report focuses on the results for Mueang Ranong district, in Ranong province, Thailand, where a total 122 KIs were interviewed across 1 municipality, 8 sub-districts, 38 villages and 20 communities. Highlight: The main barriers to proper sanitation and hygiene in Mueang Ranong district are the lack of access to personal protective equipment (PPE), and the lack of knowledge on sanitation and hygiene practices. The most affected services since the COVID-19 outbreak are livelihoods, water, healthcare, and transport. The main challenges since the outbreak of COVID-19 are unemployment, insufficient income, wage reduction and debt. The main challenges for children since the outbreak of COVID-19 are no access to education, no home schooling,  insufficient food intake, and limited access to healthcare. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 50 and 75 per cent of the population has experienced a partial loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 25 and 50 per cent of the population has experienced a total loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, in 54 out of 58 villages and communities, some families had to significantly reduce the amount of food they consume. There are some myths and misperceptions on COVID-19 in 8 out of 58 villages and communities.

In light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand, Thai and non-Thai populations face a new set of challenges and vulnerabilities. However, the extent to which these challenges and vulnerabilities are affecting local communities in key border provinces is unknown. It is also unclear whether these communities are receiving sufficient information about COVID-19 or have access to the resources which will allow them to maintain the hygiene and sanitation standards required for effective protection. To fill this data gap and inform possible responses, IOM initiated a village-level data collection exercise in key border provinces to collect information on: 1) presence of non-Thai nationals, 2) vulnerabilities to COVID-19, 3) impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods, food, and access to services, and 4) awareness and knowledge levels on COVID-19.  Between 11 and 22 April 2020, 16 IOM staff (50% female) conducted phone surveys with a total of 408 key informants (KIs) located in Tak province and Ranong province. Information was collected at the village level in Mae sot district, Mueang Ranong district and Suk Samran district. This report focuses on the results for Suk Samran district, in Ranong province, Thailand, where a total of 45 KIs were interviewed across Suk Sumran's two sub-districts and 15 villages.   Highlight: The main barriers to proper sanitation and hygiene in Suk Samran district are lack of adherence to sanitation and hygiene practices, and the lack of knowledge on sanitation and hygiene practices. The most affected services since the COVID-19 outbreak are livelihoods, transport, safety and security, and food. The main challenges since the outbreak of COVID-19 are insufficient income and unemployment. The main challenges for children since the outbreak of COVID-19 are limited or no access to education and insufficient food intake. Due the effects of COVID-19, over 75 per cent of the population has experienced a partial loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 50 and 75 per cent of the population has experienced a total loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, in 13 out of 15 villages and communities, some families had to significantly reduce the amount of food they consume. There are some myths and misperceptions on COVID-19 in 2 out of 15 villages.

In light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand, Thai and non-Thai populations face a new set of challenges and vulnerabilities. However, the extent to which these challenges and vulnerabilities are affecting local communities in key border provinces is unknown. It is also unclear whether these communities are receiving sufficient information about COVID-19 or have access to the resources which will allow them to maintain the hygiene and sanitation standards required for effective protection. To fill this data gap and inform possible responses, IOM initiated a village-level data collection exercise in key border provinces to collect information on: 1) presence of non-Thai nationals, 2) vulnerabilities to COVID-19, 3) impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods, food, and access to services, and 4) awareness and knowledge levels on COVID-19.  Between 11 and 22 April 2020, 16 IOM staff (50% female) conducted phone surveys with a total of 408 key informants (KIs) located in Tak province and Ranong province. Information was collected at the village level in Mae sot district, Mueang Ranong district and Suk Samran district. This report focuses on the results for Mueang Ranong district, in Ranong province, Thailand, where a total 122 KIs were interviewed across 1 municipality, 8 sub-districts, 38 villages and 20 communities. Highlight: The main barriers to proper sanitation and hygiene in Mueang Ranong district are the lack of access to personal protective equipment (PPE), and the lack of knowledge on sanitation and hygiene practices. The most affected services since the COVID-19 outbreak are livelihoods, water, healthcare, and transport. The main challenges since the outbreak of COVID-19 are unemployment, insufficient income, wage reduction and debt. The main challenges for children since the outbreak of COVID-19 are no access to education, no home schooling,  insufficient food intake, and limited access to healthcare. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 50 and 75 per cent of the population has experienced a partial loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 25 and 50 per cent of the population has experienced a total loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, in 54 out of 58 villages and communities, some families had to significantly reduce the amount of food they consume. There are some myths and misperceptions on COVID-19 in 8 out of 58 villages and communities.

In light of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand, Thai and non-Thai populations face a new set of challenges and vulnerabilities. However, the extent to which these challenges and vulnerabilities are affecting local communities in key border provinces is unknown. It is also unclear whether these communities are receiving sufficient information about COVID-19 or have access to the resources which will allow them to maintain the hygiene and sanitation standards required for effective protection. To fill this data gap and inform possible responses, IOM initiated a village-level data collection exercise in key border provinces to collect information on: 1) presence of non-Thai nationals, 2) vulnerabilities to COVID-19, 3) impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods, food, and access to services, and 4) awareness and knowledge levels on COVID-19.  Between 11 and 22 April 2020, 16 IOM staff (50% female) conducted phone surveys with a total of 408 key informants (KIs) located in Tak province and Ranong province. Information was collected at the village level in Mae sot district, Mueang Ranong district and Suk Samran district. This report focuses on the results for Suk Samran district, in Ranong province, Thailand, where a total of 45 KIs were interviewed across Suk Sumran's two sub-districts and 15 villages.   Highlight: The main barriers to proper sanitation and hygiene in Suk Samran district are lack of adherence to sanitation and hygiene practices, and the lack of knowledge on sanitation and hygiene practices. The most affected services since the COVID-19 outbreak are livelihoods, transport, safety and security, and food. The main challenges since the outbreak of COVID-19 are insufficient income and unemployment. The main challenges for children since the outbreak of COVID-19 are limited or no access to education and insufficient food intake. Due the effects of COVID-19, over 75 per cent of the population has experienced a partial loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, between 50 and 75 per cent of the population has experienced a total loss of income. Due the effects of COVID-19, in 13 out of 15 villages and communities, some families had to significantly reduce the amount of food they consume. There are some myths and misperceptions on COVID-19 in 2 out of 15 villages.

From 1 to 10 April 2020, IOM staff surveyed a total of 67 key informants, who were able to provide informed answers on the situation and COVID-19 related vulnerabilities of different migrant communities and non-Thai populations in Thailand. Results revealed that the most common barrier to COVID-19 specific hygiene and sanitation for non-Thai populations is the cost of personal protective equipment (PPE). Forty-one per cent of key informants reported that the majority of non-Thai nationals do not have daily access to face masks. Respondents reported that the greatest challenge faced by non-Thai nationals since the outbreak of COVID-19 is insufficient income, with 76 per cent of key informants reporting that they have heard of concerns from non-Thai populations about not having enough food to eat. Respondents also reported low awareness levels on COVID-19 symptoms and handwashing practices, with 65 per cent of respondents indicating that lack of literacy is the main reason why non-Thai nationals do not understand COVID-19 related information.

Since January 2020, IOM has been monitoring migration flows between Thailand and Myanmar across five different locations in Ranong province, Thailand. This report was produced with secondary data from government sources and primary data collected during counting and observation at each location. The objective of this infographic is to provide an overview on how movement restriction policies are influencing international mobility in Ranong Province, Thailand.

Since January 2020, IOM has been monitoring migration flows between Thailand and Myanmar across five different locations in Ranong province, Thailand. This report was produced with secondary data from government sources and primary data collected during counting and observation at each location. The objective of this infographic is to provide an overview on how movement restriction policies are influencing international mobility in Ranong Province, Thailand.

Since January 2020, IOM has been monitoring migration flows between Thailand and Myanmar across five different locations in Ranong province, Thailand. This report was produced with secondary data from government sources and primary data collected during counting and observation at each location. The objective of this infographic is to provide an overview on how movement restriction policies are influencing international mobility in Ranong Province, Thailand.

Since January 2020, IOM has been monitoring migration flows between Thailand and Myanmar across five different locations in Ranong province, Thailand. This report was produced with secondary data from government sources and primary data collected during counting and observation at each location. The objective of this infographic is to provide an overview on how movement restriction policies are influencing international mobility in Ranong Province, Thailand.